Back in the Industrial Age, the measure of wealth is how much land you own. But now, in the Information Age, the measure of wealth has shifted to how much information you control.
For many, this idea is hard to grasp as land is tangible while data is intangible. However, when you realize that unscrupulous people are shifting to stealing information rather than land, then you know that information is actually very valuable.
Rather than outright hacking (which is becoming more difficult as penalties are getting heavier), some cyber attackers are resorting to trickery in order to lure in unsuspecting victims.
And this is the motivation behind the latest Android malware to be hitting smartphones everywhere.
It’s being spread through a fake Uber app designed to steal users’ information.
Fake App Spreads Android Malware
Android Fakeapp Trojan is a malicious app that has been around for a couple of years. The latest version is probably the most sinister yet.
In fact, because of its potentially harmful implications, security firm Symantec released a public service announcement warning Android users about the program.
The latest version of the Android malware looks like the regular Uber app, but with aggressive behavior. The malicious spoof app pops up regularly, asking the user to input their username and password.
Once the user inputs the information, the data is then sent to a remote server.
To make the situation even worse, the malicious app is designed to fool users into giving up their username and password.
For example, once the app opens, it shows your current location (just like the Uber app), and the user interface looks exactly like the legitimate app’s design.
Uber got wind of the story that Android malware developers are using their app design for a phishing campaign. The company then released a press statement to address this specific concern.
Officials advised that users should not download the company’s app outside of the Google Play Store.
Since the Android Fakeapp Trojan is not listed on Google’s app marketplace, it is being downloaded outside of the platform.
Cybersecurity professionals always advise users not to download any kind of app outside of the Google Play Store as this practice is the easiest way to get tricked into downloading Android malware.
What’s the Worst Thing That Could Happen?
Personal information is of great value these days, and it’s best that you take extra measures to protect it. Nowadays, most financial transactions are done in the digital realm.
This means that a hacker only needs to access your credit card or debit card number and the security code on the back of the card, and they can already start buying items online at your expense.
All other information, like your complete name and address, can usually be obtained by doing a little bit of internet digging.
Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to prevent such malicious attacks.
If you already see fraudulent purchases in your account, call the bank immediately and notify them of the situation. In most cases, you will receive your money back.
On the downside, you may have to jump through a lot of hoops before the money is placed back into your account.
This is one of the reasons why it’s better to be cautious with your personal information before it’s too late.
Are You a Victim of the Android Malware?
If you think you may have been a victim of this latest Android malware outbreak, the first thing you need to do is check your bank accounts for unauthorized purchases.
If there are already some, do the steps above. If you there are no unauthorized purchases, then change all your passwords immediately.
If you don’t have a Two-Factor Authentication security system in place yet, then it.s best that you start employing it.
You can also notify the bank about the possibility of being hacked so they can do the necessary precautionary measures.
Now in the Information Age, the practice of keeping your personal information secure is a top priority.
The Android Fakeapp Trojan is just one of many malicious programs out there that’s designed to steal your personal information for financial gains.
To protect yourself from scams, it’s best that you can start by looking out for the Android Fakeapp Trojan that looks like an Uber app.